Most Americans have little real knowledge of terrorism—we hear about only a handful of the very worst end results of terrorism (bombings, kidnappings and hijackings), but unless we have a loved one who is the victim of a terrorist attack, we are unlikely to have a real grasp of the issue. All Americans should know the facts regarding one extremely important terrorism issue—where the money comes from. Think about it—Terrorists must use banking systems, just like the rest of us. So, when Americans are injured or killed as a result of a terrorist attack, just how much responsibility does the banking industry bear if ties to terrorist states are revealed? Do those who were injured or killed as a result of this terrorism have the right to file a United States Anti-Terrorism Act Lawsuit?
Iraqi War Veterans File Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit in 2014
As far back as 2014, a United States Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit was filed by a group of wounded Iraq war veterans against several EU banks, charging those banks with the responsibility for shootings and roadside bombings because the money which paid for the attacks was Iranian money processed by these banks. This Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit claimed a conspiracy between these banks and their Iranian counterparts—a conspiracy which hid these financial transactions from the United States after sanctions were imposed on Iran.
What About U.S. Sanctions Against Iran?
The Iranian sanctions were put into place by Congress to prevent Iran from sponsoring terrorism or engaging in terrorist acts, thus restricting Iran’s ability to obtain necessary funding to make and deploy lethal weapons. According to the aforementioned 2014 Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit, more than $100 million was alleged to have been channeled to Iranian military operatives in Iraq to fund terrorist attacks. It would later be revealed that the actual numbers were much higher.
Banks Admit to Violating U.S. Counter-Terrorism Sanctions
Today, several global banks have entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Consent Orders in which they admit to violating U.S. Counter-Terrorism Sanctions by having helped process billions of dollars for the country of Iran. Iran, a known sponsor of terror, used this money for a number of elicit purposes, including:
- Recruiting Shia and Sunni terrorist organizations who murdered U.S. soldiers and citizen contractors in Iraq;
- Training, arming, commanding and funding these Shi and Sunni terrorist organizations;
- Sponsoring other terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Ansar al-Islam, whose primary purpose was to attack American soldiers and contractors;
- Supplying weapons which wounded and killed American soldiers and contractors, such as IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device), EFPs (Explosively Formed Penetrators, for which Iran was the exclusive manufacturer), and IRAMS (Improvised Rocket Assisted Munitions), and
- Providing Bounties to terrorists who attacked U.S. and coalition forces, as well as civilians.
Global Banks Involved with Iran may be Subject to Anti-Terrorism Act Lawsuits
The relationship between Iran and these global banks ultimately helped facilitate attacks which were responsible for tens of thousands of severe injuries and fatalities to American soldiers and contractors in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. The banks which have already admitted to violating U.S. Counter-Terrorism Sanctions and entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements and Consent Orders include:
- BNP Paribas S.A.
- Barclays Plc
- Standard Chartered Bank Plc
- Commerzbank A.G.
- Credit Suisse AG and Credit Suisse Asset Management Ltd
- HSBC Holding Group Plc
Could You Benefit from Speaking to an Anti-Terrorism Lawyer?
We believe these banks violated the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act by providing financial services (material support) to Iran. We also believe these banks knew or should have known that this financial support would be used to commit acts of terrorism against American soldiers and civilians. Perhaps you or a loved one was severely injured or killed as a direct result of this violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act. If so, you may be entitled to file a United States Anti-Terrorism Act Lawsuit, and pursue compensation from the global banks that ultimately helped Iran fund the terrorist groups responsible.
The experienced Anti-Terrorism Act Lawyers from Sullo & Sullo are prepared to fight for those injured and killed as a result of violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, holding those responsible accountable. While nothing will erase the pain left behind, we are committed to seeking justice. Although collecting damages from individual terrorists would be virtually impossible, the banks which helped finance these illegal activities are equally responsible, as without funds, the attacks would not have been possible. We have the necessary knowledge and skills to seek reparation for the loss of a loved one, or severe injuries to yourself or a loved one, which were the direct result of a violation of the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act.